SWGTC Faculty Role in Academic and Governance Matters Policy

Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) believes that faculty members have a major responsibility in the achievement of outcomes for student learning and the quality of academic programs.   To accomplish the mission of the College and to ensure a vibrant collegiate environment, participation by the faculty in academic and appropriate governance matters is encouraged and considered critical in the educational process.  This policy statement is published in the SWGTC Policy and Procedures Manual (located on the intranet) and in the Faculty Manual (2.10 Faculty Role in Academic Governance).

The primary role of the faculty in governance of the College is to develop, revise, and implement educational goals and objectives, including curriculum, academic standards, and courses of study.  In addition, the program faculty members participate in decision-making activities involving academic policy such as degree requirements, curricula, faculty work environment, and professional development.  They also have a major role in identifying, evaluating, and improving student learning outcomes, including planning and budgeting for expected outcomes.

The College encourages faculty participation in academic and appropriate governance matters through voluntary membership using the committee structure.  The Faculty Council, where the membership includes only faculty representatives from each program area, serves as a major source of information and recommendations for the president of the College. Faculty members are also represented on current College committees including the Academic Affairs Committee (where credit programs are revised), Budget Committee, Faculty Council, Financial Aid Appeals Committee, Graduation Committee, Institutional Effectiveness Committee, Recruitment – Marketing – Advertising Committee, Retention Committee, Safety and Security Committee, and Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee.

The faculty develops and revises program curricula through the Instructional Faculty Consortium Committees (IFCC) set up through the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).  All instructors in the Technical College System of Georgia are members of an IFCC. There are faculty consortium committees for each program area in each of the three consortium regions, except in program areas for which a statewide committee has been authorized as a substitute. Through statewide program reviews using the PROBE process, the faculty establishes, reviews, and evaluates curricula

Responsibility

The Vice President for Academic Affairs has the overall responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented.